vHarmony.com

photo by T. Bretl

Dear Friends, 

Because I can't even  imagine how I would have survived the road to publication and post-publication without Robin, I have been thinking a lot about how we might use our Shrinking Violets forum to put like-minded souls together. Sort of like eHarmony, but without the hassles and fees.  vHarmony! 

Which is not to say that Robin and I don't have many other friends-- i-verts and e-verts of all kinds that make our lives rich, and help us in countless ways. But having someone that ::gets:: you at a core level, and is on a similar path makes the journey immeasurably easier.  There just isn't anything quite like having a buddy to share it all with-- the exquisite highs, those saggy middles, and the Dark Nights of the Soul. Robin has been there for so many of mine. and I've been privileged to witness and support hers. 

For those of you that have watched Grey's Anatomy over the years, there was a great episode where Christina was bumbling around trying to describe why Meredith was so important to her, and why she absolutely had to talk to her.  She finally blurted "She's my PERSON!"  And the way that she said it, said it all.  Everyone needs someone just like that. 

We've wondered how we might serve as a place and space for you to make a connection with some people that you resonate with, and perhaps even some that live near you. Robin had the excellent idea of setting up a Shrinking Violet yahoo group site as a place where you can initiate topics, share resources, contacts, ideas, make some connections.  And who knows?  You may just find your "person" there!  

Before we head off in that direction, can we get some feedback?  Does a yahoo group site sound like something you might be interested in?  If you're not familiar with a yahoo group, it is a Members Only site where you can post messages, share files, upload links, etc.  If we get enough of a thumbs up from all of you, we'll get to work on that. Will you please comment and let us know, or email me off-line?   

If that doesn't sound like something you'd be want to try, but you're interested in finding another Shrinking Violet in your area, would you let me know that off-line as well?  We'll go back to the drawing board and think of a way that we might make that happen.  Thanks!

. . . . . . . . . . 

We are just days a few days away from the start of our Third Annual Independent Booksellers Month.  We have four readers who have volunteered to be our Official Roving Reporters, and they will each be bringing you a brief profile on their favorite indie. We are looking for two more volunteers for this fun assignment. The entails you visiting your favorite independent bookseller, taking a photo, and conducting a short interview of the owner/manager/designee. If you are interested, please email me right away and I will give you some more details.  This karmic networking opportunity is likely to reap a number of benefits for you.

. . . . . . . . . . 

Hope you all have a marvelous week out there!

Grace and peace,

Mary Hershey